This master-class provides a foundation for those wishing to utilise structural equation modelling (SEM) to explore and test complex relationships.

The course is designed as an applied introduction to SEM using Stata, aimed at providing participants with a sound understanding of when to use SEM and how to assess and report their models

Master Class - runs over 2 days

Instructor:

Dr Joanna Dipnall is a biostatistician with the School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine (SPHPM) at Monash University and Honorary Research Fellow with School of Medicine at Deakin University. She holds a B.Ec(Honours) from Monash University, and a PhD from the School of Medicine at Deakin University. She also lectures and tutors with the Department of Statistics, Data Science and Epidemiology at Swinburne University. Joanna has developed a novel Risk Index for Depression (RID) utilising SEM and machine learning techniques that brought together five key determinants of depression. She has been a teacher of Stata software for over 15 years, training across Australia and overseas and was a member of the Scientific Committee for the Oceania Stata Users Group Meeting in 2017.

This Master-class is designed for participants with an introductory-level understanding of the statistical methods of regression analysis and exploratory factor analysis. Participants will experience hands-on SEM examples and have the ability to build their own Stata SEM models.

This workshop is targeted at those researchers who wish to expand their understanding of this highly powerful technique. SEM has been utilised in many areas of research from psychology to medicine.

This workshop will take place in a classroom. You will need to bring your own laptop with Stata. If you don't have a copy of Stata, please let us know in advance and we will organise a trial version for the course.

Recommended Background:

This course assumes that participants have familiarity with the Stata command language and a sufficient understanding of statistics to be able to comprehend the material covered in the course outline, such as a basic grounding in regression and exploratory factor analysis.

Recommended Texts:

Course notes will be supplied.

No specific references are suggested but participants might find the following text useful:

The ACSPRI Head Office is located at 763 Heidelberg Road, Alphington, just before the corner of Yarralea St.

Accommodation:

The ACSPRI Office is only 20 minutes from the Melbourne's CBD via train. Accommodation located close to any of the City Loop train stations (Parliament, Melbourne Central, Spencer St, Flinders St and {on weekdays} Flagstaff) or other stations along the Hurstbridge Line will enable a very easy commute (see Transport below). We expect most visitors would appreciate staying quite centrally and there are numerous accommodation options. It is worth checking a travel website (expedia, tripadvisor, etc) to fine the best option for your budget and requirements, but we recommend staying close to a train station as per above.

Ivanhoe Quest Apartments are located 20 minutes walk east of the ACSPRI Office, along Upper Heidelberg Road. You can also catch the train to Alphington Station from either Ivanhoe Station (2 stops - city direction) or Darebin Station (1 stop - city direction). You can also walk to Heidelberg Road (4 mins) take the 546 Bus to Yarralea Street, which is opposite our office.

Car Parking / Transport:

Alphington Station is roughly 20 minutes from Melbourne Central (and other City loop stations) on the Hurstbridge Line and only a few minutes' walk from the ACSPRI office. There are also a number of bus lines that service the area. Bus services are very limited on weekends and the train is recommended. Click here for the journey planner.

By car, the quickest route for many local Melbournians will be via the Eastern Freeway and/or Chandler Hwy. From the CBD the Eastern Freeway from the Inner North will also probably be the quickest route. At that time on a weekend 20 minutes would allow plenty of time. Parking is usually available in Yarralea St or nearby but not on Heidelberg Road.

Secure space is available to store bicycles at the office. The office is very close to Alphington Park, which backs onto the Yarra River and subsequently a vast network of Melbourne's bike paths.

Venue and Timetable:

The course will run from 9am until 5pm both days.

Breaks are held at 10.30 - 11.00, 12.30 - 1.30 and 3.00 - 3.30. Lunch and a small morning and afternoon tea are provided both days. Depending on class consensus, breaks may be shortened to result in an early finish.

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